Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia remains upbeat coming off wrist surgery

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3/2/15) Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who is coming off wrist surgery, said he is able to swing a bat with full confidence and hasn't had that feeling since the 2011 season, according to WEEI.com.

“I feel normal,” he said. “I can tell just picking up a bat my hand strength is back. That’s the most important part to me. When you grab a bat, how does it feel? Can you manipulate where you want to hit the ball? It’s all back.

“I knew before I got here. You could tell. Balls come off the bat different. It sounds different. If I’m fooled and I’m out in front I had the strength to flip it the other way or still turn on it. Those are the things I couldn’t do. My swing is normal. My follow through is normal. There’s finish.”

Pedroia has hit just 16 home runs the last two seasons while dealing with thumb and wrist injuries. However, Pedroia said he will gladly sacrifice power if that means another World Series win for Boston.

“I don’t care. Numbers are numbers,” he said. “We’re here to win the World Series. I don’t care about any of that. If people don’t know that by now. We won the World Series and I hit nine home runs and everyone said I lost my power. Well, I’ll lose my power if I win the World Series. What is everyone’s job here? Win. We don’t give a crap about anything else.”

"I plan on playing 162," said Pedroia. "[Farrell] said that because my numbers were impacted [by the injury]. But I don't look at it any different. I mean, I played 178 games (in 2013) with a torn thumb. Obviously, I'm human -- the next year, you're going to have a tough time."

Pedroia has been limited the past three seasons due to a number of injuries. He injured his wrist in the home opener and wasn't the same the rest of the way. The 31-year-old Pedroia hit just .278 with seven home runs, 33 doubles and 53 RBI in 135 games last season. He has hit fewer than 10 home runs in two straight seasons.

Pedroia reiterated that he's at 100 percent to start spring training.

"I'm back...you'll see," Pedroia said. "I'm good, ready to go. If [the season] started tomorrow, I'd be good. I'm very excited. Obviously, after last year, it didn't go very well, so we've got a lot of stuff to prove.'"

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated last week that Pedroia has been cleared to resume all baseball activities after having tendon release surgery on his left wrist and thumb in September.

In the middle of last January, the second baseman hadn't been cleared by doctors after undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL in his thumb, and his hand was still not at full strength when he suffered a wrist injury in the team's home opener. He played all through the 2013 season with a thumb injury as well. Provided no setbacks occur in his preparation for the season, Pedroia appears to be the healthiest he's been in years going into the 2015 campaign.

Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is 'ready to go' coming off wrist surgery

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/15/15) Red Sox manager John Farrell provided an update to MLB Network Radio on Wednesday regarding Dustin Pedroia, saying the veteran second baseman is "doing great" coming off wrist surgery.

It was then Pedroia's turn to confirm Farrell's sentiments by telling WEEI he is progressing well after undergoing surgery in September.

“If [spring training] started tomorrow, I’m ready,” Pedroia said by phone. “I’ve got all my strength back. I’m lifting like a maniac. I’m pretty excited. Last year at this time I couldn’t hit yet. It’s obvious a lot different offseason this year than last year.

“I’m full go. I’ve been throwing, hitting, taking some ground balls. I’m ready to go. … I’m done with the rehab. I haven’t missed a beat. I haven’t had my strength like normal for few years. I’m excited.”

The 31-year-old Pedroia hit just .278 with seven home runs, 33 doubles and 53 RBI in 135 games last season. He has hit fewer than 10 home runs in two straight seasons.

2014 summary:Dustin Pedroia entered the season coming off thumb surgery that likely hampered his production for all of 2013, and 2014 was deja vu all over again. In early April, Pedroia sustained a wrist injury, played through it, saw a further decrease in power, and then had season-ending surgery in September. Not only did Pedroia hit for extra bases at the lowest rate of his career, but his .278 batting average, .337 on-base percentage and six stolen bases were his lowest marks for a full season.

Playing time status: After two-injury marred years, Pedroia is something of a playing time risk, though in each season, he played through his injuries. Still, he has missed at least 20 games in two of the last three seasons, so he is far from a safe bet to play close to the full schedule.

2015 outlook: If Pedroia can stay healthy, there's reason to think he may be able to recapture some of his home run power for the Red Sox, but even that may not be enough to catapult him back into the top five among second basemen. In any event, he does appear to be an injury risk, so owners should treat Pedroia more like a top 10 option.